The ‘Big Two’ of Carmelita Jeter and Veronica Campbell-Brown may have been absent from the IAAF / VTB Bank Continental Cup, but such is the strength of Team Americas, they still managed to secure maximum points in the women’s 100m, courtesy of Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Shalonda Solomon.
Trinidad & Tobago had never been represented by a female athlete at the IAAF World Cup before today, but Baptiste – who broke her own national record earlier this year with 10.84 – put her country on the map in style. African Champion Blessing Okagbare got off to her usual fast start, but Baptiste soon clawed back the lead.
Meanwhile, Shalonda Solomon was having a strong run out in lane one, but it was Baptiste who came through to win in 11.05 (+1.4ms) – the fourth-fastest winning time in IAAF World Cup history. Solomon clocked 11.09 in second and Okagbare came through in third with 11.14.
The two European team members followed – European Champion Verena Sailer running 11.26 in fifth, followed by Norway’s Ezinne Okparaebo (11.37). Chisato Fukushima produced Japan’s best ever finish in this event with 11.42 in sixth.
“I didn’t feel any pressure before the start,” said Baptiste. “I knew I would run a good race.”
Jon Mulkeen for the IAAF